(Radio Iowa) – Bugs are starting to become more of a nuisance as we head into fall. Iowa State University Entomology Professor, Donald Lewis, says minute pirate bugs help the environment until this time of year when they can cause humans pain.

Pirate bug (ISU Extension photo)

“Now there’s not much out in the field for them and they wander around looking for something moist,” Lewis says. “And if you happen to be on your ladder in your short-sleeved shirt painting the white side of your house — they’re going to find you, and they’re going to be attracted to the reflective light. They are going to taste you to see if are you an insect egg, or are you a source of moisture. And that’s why they bite.”

Lewis says boxelder bugs can also cause nuisances this time of year as they prepare to hibernate during the winter. “One cheap and easy way to control boxelder bugs outdoors is to spray them with soapy water,” he says. That keeps them under control in the short term. “Now that has no residual. That will not control the boxelder bugs that come an hour later. But the ones that are there now, the ones that are massed in the late afternoon, you can kill them with a soapy spray, but you are going to have to do it probably every day for best results,” according to Lewis.

Lewis says the Minute Pirate Bugs will die once the freezing temperatures come.

Boxelder bug (ISU Ext.)

(Corning, Iowa) – Officials with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office report four recent arrests. Three arrests took place last Saturday (Oct. 9th):

• 53-year-old Scott Perrin, of Corning, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop at around 12:35-a.m., at Highway 34 and Kentucky Avenue. Perrin was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond. And…
• 38-year-old Mindy Marie Knapp, of Red Oak, and 32-year-old Christopher John Hazen, of Council Bluffs, were arrested in the 2500 block of Elm Avenue, in connection with a burglary. Officials say Knapp and Hazen were both charged with Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. They were also cited for Trespassing. Knapp and Hazen were transported to the Adams County Jail.

And, on Oct. 8th, Adams County Deputies arrested 38-year-old David Christopher Yazell, of Corning, on an active warrant for four counts of Failure to Appear. He was transported to the Adams County Jail and held pending an appearance before a Magistrate.

Waterloo, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports Kevin Reddout, who was convicted of Domestic Abuse Assault-3rd or Subsequent Offense and other charges in Black Hawk County, failed to report from work to the Waterloo residential facility as required, Monday.

Reddout is a 46-year-old white male, height 6′ 0″, and weighs 216 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 05/13/2021.

Persons with information on Reddout’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Kevin J. Reddout (Iowa DOC photo)

(DeSoto, Iowa) – A crash in Dallas County over the weekend that killed two people has resulted in the death of a third person. The Iowa State Patrol says 25-year-old Kenneth Mueller, of Urbandale died, after the van he was driving struck the rear of a semi. He was wearing a seat belt. The accident happened at around 3:15-p.m., Sunday on Interstate 80 westbound at mile marker 115 (two-miles east of the Van Meter Exit). Authorities say the semi, driven by 22-year-old Lovepreet S. Rattan, of Mississaugua, Ontario, Canada, had slowed and stopped for traffic ahead, that was at a standstill due to an accident just west of DeSoto.

Mueller failed to reduce his speed prior to the collision. He died at the scene. The driver of the semi was not injured. Dallas County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Dallas County Medical Examiner assisted at the scene.

The accident that caused the traffic to back-up in the first place, occurred at around 1:17-p.m. Sunday. The Patrol says a 1980 Chevy Corvette driven by 19-year-old Samuel Wayne Kasap entered westbound Interstate 80 from the DeSoto on-ramp and accelerated to a high rate of speed. The car went out of control and entered the median before rolling over the cable barrier and coming to rest in the eastbound lanes.

Neither Kasap nor his passenger, 24-year-old Maximilian Vincent Kasap, were wearing a seat belt. Both men were ejected. Samuel Kasap died at the scene. Max Kasap was injured and transported by Dallas County Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

More area and State news from Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest at around 10:45-p.m. Monday, of 27-year-old Patrick Riley Iiams, of Creston. He was taken into custody at Spencer and Sycamore, for Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication 1st offense. Iiams was being held at the Union County Jail on $600 bond.

The broadcast News from Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

(Anita, Iowa) – In about two-weeks, the Food Bank of the Heartland’s Mobile Food Pantry will be coming to Anita. Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoege says anyone, including people from the surrounding communities, are welcome to visit the mobile food pantry, with no documentation is needed. The drive-through mobile food pantry will be at 208 Chestnut Street in Anita on October 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., or as long as supplies last.

The mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry delivering food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. It is free of charge. Visitors are asked to stay in their vehicles with the trunk open, so volunteers may load the food items into your vehicle.

For more information on local food, farmers’ markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood or contact Food Bank for the Heartland at 402-315-2555.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board will meet in a regular session beginning 6-p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 13), in the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. On their Consent Agenda, is approval of resignations, including: Melissa Smith (Food Service), and Marsha Von Seggem (Jr. Kindergarten/End of the 2021-22 School Year). The will also act on Contract Recommendations for: Rebecca Garcia, EL Paraeducator; Melissa Smith, HS Paraeducator; Kirstin Sopcich, WA Office Paraeducator, and Paige Carrier, WA Paraeducator; Lisa Andersen – Food Service at Schuler; and Chris Kennedy, Substitute Bus Route Driver.

The Board will discuss during their meeting: the 2020-21 Audit Review and End of Year Financial Report; a Retirement Incentive Program; and Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) Test Scores, along with an Employee Appreciation Day. Action items on their agenda include, but are not limited to:

• The renaming of the Annual Trojans Track & Field Invitational to the Bruce Henderson Track and Field Invitational.
• A Boys Swimming Sharing Agreement with Riverside.
• Approval of an out-of-state trip for seven-to 14 students to Louisville, Kentucky, for the National FFA Convention. The trip would take place from Oct. 26-30.
• Approval of a rental agreement between the school district and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, with regard to the use of classroom space for the Home School Assistance Program classroom. The church will provide all supplies and maintenance for the program. (rental amount, $1,615 per month)
• The Board will also act on approving the purchase of 15 Interactive Touch Displays for teachers to use in the classroom (total cost: $49,455), and a Digital Trophy Case that would provide current and historical information. The Atlantic School Foundation, Atlantic Booster Club and the Robinson Family have offered to share in funding the display case ($7,800), with the school’s share amounting to $8,875 (total cost for the display case: $16,675).

For those who cannot attend, the meeting will be live-streamed at https://youtu.be/knKnKUEqzh0.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic High School will host a Youth Mental Health Symposium on Monday, October 25th, from 5:00-7:45 PM. All middle school and high school students, parents, and members of communities in Cass County, are invited to attend. The free event will include a meal sponsored by area businesses, door prizes, and free childcare. Motivational speaker Joe Beckman will talk about the importance of human connection at a time when loneliness is at an all-time high, and a series of short presentations will be given on issues affecting students today, including anxiety, healthy relationships, and mental health awareness. Organizations from Cass County and across the state will be at the event providing resources to students,
parents, and community members.

Atlantic High School Counselor Sarah Rose says the event addresses a critical need. “We are seeing a huge need for awareness about mental health in our community at all age levels; students and families are struggling more than ever. We need to reduce the stigma, offer support, and we hope this event will start those conversations,” commented Rose. A large donation was made by the Atlantic Community School Foundation to cover the cost of the speaker. Several sponsors donated to cover the cost of the meal: Full Circle Therapy, ZION Recovery Services/Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center, Therapy Place, and Cass County Health System.

Attendees will be entered into drawings for gift card door prizes donated by the participating organizations and the Family Crisis Support Network. Doors for the event open at 5 PM with a community resource fair and a series of optional 10-minute presentations in the high school gym. At 6:30 PM a light supper will be served in the commons while Beckman shares his message with attendees. Childcare will be provided onsite for the duration of the event.

While there is no cost to attend and pre-registration is not required, those needing childcare are encouraged to RSVP to the High School by calling 712-243-5358. For more information
on this event, including sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Sarah Rose, Alyssa Dovenspike, or Heather McKay at 712-243-5458. To slow the spread of COVID-19, masks are encouraged and will be available at the door.

**********

Cass County Mental Health Symposium details:
Where: Atlantic High School (1201 E. 14th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
When: Monday, October 25, 5:00-7:45 PM (Resource fair and ten-minute presentations from
5:00-6:30; meal with keynote speaker 6:30-7:45)
Who: All middle-school and high-school students, parents, guardians, and community
members in Cass County.
Cost: No cost! Free meal, free childcare, and door prizes (such as gift cards and wellness
baskets).
Childcare: Those needing free childcare are asked to RSVP to Sarah Rose at
srose@atlanticschools.org or 712-243-5358.
For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on
Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.
Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the
health and well-being of Cass County residents. Reach out to Cass County Wellness
Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more
information. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across Cass County.